Globe Future Makers Program Seeks Innovative Solutions to Poverty Issues from Tech Community

March 29, 2017 | 04:58 PM

Public Company Information: PSE: GLO

Globe Telecom recently launched the Future Makers Program to call on
social innovators to use digital technology to address environmental,
political, and economic challenges caused by poverty in the
Philippines. This brings to life the company’s sustainability
commitment in response to UN Sustainable Development Goal No. 9
calling for investment in infrastructure and innovation to find
lasting solutions to both economic and environmental challenges.

The program makes its way to the Philippines after similar programs
were launched by Singtel in Singapore and Optus in Australia last
year. The Singtel Group Future Makers Program boosts select
game-changing solutions that could create positive societal impact in
the Asia-Pacific region.

“We recognize the important role technology plays in addressing many
social issues in our country at the moment. Through the Globe Future
Makers Program, we are tapping the ecosystem of social innovators to
help turn the tide against various social issues caused by our high
poverty incidence. These include malnutrition or lack of access to or
delivery of quality health care, limited access to education,
vulnerability to climate change, and people displacement resulting
from armed conflict. We are looking forward to many participants
joining this program and supporting us in doing a Globe of Good."
said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications.

Andrew Buay, Vice-President Group Sustainability at Singtel said,
“We believe there is a stronger role for technology and innovation to
create a sustainable and positive impact for the vulnerable in our
community. We are committed to the long-term success of these
organisations chosen as “Future Makers.” That’s why we provide much
more than just funding, but also access to our resources, skills, and
connections with key leaders in the social enterprise ecosystem”.

The Globe Future Makers program is open to anyone with relevant
technological or innovative solutions that can impact existing social
sector challenges in the areas of climate change, peace and security,
health and well-being, and education and learning, which affect
vulnerable communities in the Philippines.

Interested participants must already have a working prototype,
preferably a pilot test done with the potential beneficiaries and data
to demonstrate commercial viability and scalability. The selection and
evaluation of all entries will be made between May and June 2017. The
top five teams will be eligible for an initial technology grant worth
P200,000 and will benefit from the expert mentorship of Ashoka
Philippines, the network of Globe, Singtel Group, and partners. To
scale up the chosen projects, Globe through Kickstart Ventures, its
corporate venture capital arm, will provide mentorship from the
Kickstart Portfolio Development team, who will facilitate access to
relevant startup workshops or clinics, introductions to potential
partners, mentors, advisers, and investors via Kickstart’s broad
network, and free Semaphore web-to-SMS API credits. The support from
Kickstart will allow the top five teams to build their products
faster, and launch sooner to benefit the communities they aim to serve.

Candidates will be selected on a merit-basis in terms of business
solutions and social impact. Online application is now available at www.globefuturemakers.com.
For further information, please contact [email protected].